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Evaluating long-term economic and ecological consequences of continuous and multi-paddock grazing - a modeling approach

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  • Wang, Tong
  • Richard Teague, W.
  • Park, Seong C.
  • Bevers, Stan

Abstract

Aside from overstocking, inappropriate grazing management strategies may cause rangeland degradation in commercial scale ranches. In this paper we construct a dynamic model to study the economic and ecological consequences of continuous and multi-paddock (MP) grazing. Simulations on long-term economic profitability and ecological indices were carried out for continuous vs. MP grazing management strategies under different grass growth rates, grass dormant periods, initial ecological conditions and various installation costs for MP grazing. Results show that compared to continuous grazing, MP grazing on large commercial ranches greatly increases the optimal 30-year net present value (NPV) by sustaining much higher stocking rates. At realistic stocking rates, MP grazing both increases long-term economic profit and improves ecological conditions. The advantage of MP grazing is more pronounced under xeric conditions, longer grass dormancy period, and initial prevalence of less palatable grasses and weeds. However, ranch managers for smaller ranches and/or ranches under short-term leases are less likely to adopt MP grazing due to its diminished economic advantages on those ranches.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Tong & Richard Teague, W. & Park, Seong C. & Bevers, Stan, 2018. "Evaluating long-term economic and ecological consequences of continuous and multi-paddock grazing - a modeling approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 197-207.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:165:y:2018:i:c:p:197-207
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2018.06.012
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    3. Che, Yuyuan & Feng, Hongli & Hennessy, David, 2021. "Assessing Peer Effects and Subsidy Impacts in Technology Adoption: Application to Grazing Management Choices with Farm Survey Data," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315123, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Chowdhury, Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed & Wang, Tong & Jin, Hailong & Smart, Alexander J., 2020. "Exploring the Determinants of Perceived Benefits of Rotational Grazing in the U. S. Great Plains," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304487, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Merri E. Day & Minfeng Tang & Phillip A. Lancaster & Deann Presley & Dustin L. Pendell & Walter H. Fick & Luca Doro & Adam Ahlers & Andrew Ricketts, 2023. "Simulation of the Impact of Rangeland Management Strategies on Soil Health, Environmental Footprint, Economic Impact, and Human-Edible Nutrient Conversion from Grasslands in the Central and Northern G," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-43, August.
    6. Michael Aide & Indi Braden & Susan Murray & Collin Schabbing & Sophia Scott & Samantha Siemers & Sven Svenson & Julie Weathers, 2021. "Optimizing Beef Cow-Calf Grazing across Missouri with an Emphasis on Protecting Ecosystem Services," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-12, October.
    7. Wang, Tong & Jin, Hailong & Kreuter, Urs & Teague, Richard, 2021. "Expanding grass-based agriculture on marginal land in the U.S. Great Plains: The role of management intensive grazing," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    8. Fang, Q.X. & Harmel, R.D. & Ma, L. & Bartling, P.N.S. & Derner, J.D. & Jeong, J. & Williams, J.R. & Boone, R.B., 2022. "Evaluating the APEX model for alternative cow-calf grazing management strategies in Central Texas," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

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